The court's split decision - by three votes against two - is seen as a major blow against Gen Pinochet, the BBC's Clinton Porteous in the Chilean capital, Santiago, says.

The initial challenge by the general's defence team was widely seen as one of the best chances of halting the case, our correspondent says.

Tuesday's ruling - which was delayed by almost two weeks - sparked mayhem in the courtroom as relatives of victims started celebrating.

"We are happy, the entire world is happy," Lorena Pizarro, president of an association of relatives of dissidents who perished during Gen Pinochet's rule, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

"Pinochet cannot continue to live in impunity," Ms Pizarro said.

Gen Pinochet has never been put on trial for human rights violations under his 1973-90 rule, despite several high-profile cases against him.

The matter will now be delivered back to investigating judge Juan Guzman.